Three of the oldest prisons in the United States of America are located in the New York area. I'm not sure if that's brag-worthy, but let's dive in.

How Many Prisons Does New York State Have

In New York State, there are 44 prisons, with 15 classified as maximum security. As of the June 2024 Monthly Report, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) houses,

"33,189 incarcerated individuals and the supervision of 17,540 active releasees in New York State. In total, there are 24,625 parolees currently under DOCCS’ responsibility, which includes parolees actively reporting in New York and out-of-state, those in the violation process, in absconding status, deported, or locally incarcerated."

READ MORE: 15 Prisons In New York With Most Dangerous Inmates

The New York Area Is Home To 3 Of The Oldest Prisons

New York, which gained statehood on July 26, 1788, making it the 11th state, is home to two of the oldest prisons. The oldest prison in America is within about an hour's drive of New York City. According to Oldest.org, we've been locking people up for a very long time. Let's take a look at the three oldest prisons in America:

READ MORE: New York May Lift Lifetime Ban On Felons Doing This

3. Sing Sing Correctional Facility

Ossining Correctional Facility, also known as Sing Sing Correctional Facility, opened in 1828. Construction on the prison began in 1825. It is located in Ossining, New York, and is still operating. Sing Sing is classified as a maximum security (men's) prison.

"Sing Sing Correctional Facility, commonly known as Sing Sing, is not only one of the oldest prisons in America but one of the most infamous in the country."

2. Auburn Correctional Facility

Auburn Correctional Facility was opened just over a decade before Sing Sing, in 1817. The still operational facility is located in Auburn, New York. It is a maximum security (men's) prison.

"The Auburn prison is considered one of the early pioneers of the American penal system — Auburn Correctional Facility was the first prison to put inmates in individual cells. It was also the first prison to separate the mentally ill from the general population and in 1890, Auburn Correctional Facility became the first prison in the world to execute an inmate with the electric chair."

READ MORE: First Prisoner Killed by The Electric Chair Was From New York

The Oldest Prison In America Is...

While the oldest prison isn't actually in New York, it's less than an hour and a half drive from New York City.

1. New Jersey State Prison

New Jersey State Prison opened in 1798 in Trenton, New Jersey. The prison is still operational. NJ State Prison is a maximum security (men's) facility.

"While the New Jersey State Prison was not the first prison in the United States, it is the only one still around from the 18th century, making it the oldest prison in America."

Get our free mobile app

3 Most Popular Prison Gangs In New York

Netas

Read More: Are Conjugal Visits Legal In New York State Prisons?

The Netas gang was started in the late 1970s by Carlos Torres Irriarte. The gang was started in the maximum security Oso Blanco prison located in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. The gang was started to protect prisoners from guards and other prisoners and improve conditions. The main rival of the Netas was Grupo 27. Netas founder Irriarte was shot and stabbed to death by G27s. Even though Irriarte was killed (potentially set up to die by his lieutenants, the gang grew and thrived. According to Wikipedia,

"The Ñeta Association has an established hierarchical structure; each chapter's hierarchical leadership structure includes a president, vice president, treasurer, disciplinarian, and a coordinator responsible for organizing monthly meetings.[2] The entire gang chapter participates in an election process in order to determine who will hold these six leadership positions."

Credit: ILL Mannered Films via Youtube

Bloods

Read More: The 10 Most Violent Prisons In New York

The Bloods chapter in New York was started in 1993 on Rikers Island. Inmates Leonard "Deadeye" MacKenzie and OG Mack founded the New York Chapter of the United Blood Nation, according to Stanford. The Bloods, also known as Pirus, are known to commit violent crimes such as robberies, drug sales, extortion, rapes, and murders.

"The Bloods have now become the strongest of the 52 prison gangs operating in New York City. The National Gang Crime Research Center feels that 20 percent of the nation's inmates belong to gangs and that this percentage is much higher for the state of New York."

Credit: 19XX via Youtube

Latin Kings

Read More: Top 7 Weapons Confiscated From Inmates In New York State Prisons

The Latin Kings was founded in 1954. The gang was founded by a Puerto Rican, Ramon Santos, in Chicago. The gang was initially called the Imperials and was designed to help the Puerto Rican progress movement. According to Wikipedia,

"There are two umbrella factions: the King Motherland Chicago (KMC) – also known as King Manifesto and Constitution – and Bloodline, formed in New York City in 1986."

The Bloodline Manifesto was founded by Luis "King Blood" Felipe in the Collins Correctional Facility in New York State. He claimed the title of Inca and Supreme Crown of New York State.

"There is the Second Crown, and he is the Inca's right-hand man who must be trusted at all times. Next, there is the Warlord, and his job is to make sure that everything is in operation. He is basically the brains of the operation. Finally, there is the Officer, who is the inspector of the nation."

Credit: Insider via Youtube